HOUSTON (AP) -Baseball commissioner Bud Selig would like to see Cecil Cooper hired permanently as manager of the Houston Astros.Cooper was named interim manager of the Astros after Phil Garner was fired on Monday.In an interview with Houston television station KRIV, Selig said Cooper has earned the opportunity to be retained as permanent manager. When Selig owned the Milwaukee Brewers, Cooper played for him from 1977-87.Baseball has received considerable criticism in recent years for its lack of black players and managers.Having another black manager is important for baseball, Selig said.The 49-year-old Cooper is the 14th black manager in the history of major league baseball, and one of three currently managing a big league team. Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers and Willie Randolph with the New York Mets are the others.In 1975, Frank Robinson became baseball's first black manager when he took over the Cleveland Indians.

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